Chapter Nine, Upriver Summary

Iorek examines the knife and Will tells him how he came to have possession of it. Iorek agrees to help Will find Lyra. The bears are on a journey to find a new home since their old one is uninhabitable for them, and thus they are trying to find high mountains covered with snow and ice. Iorek says that in the coming war, he will side with whoever offers the best advantage for the bears. Balthamos keeps giving Will information but is very unhappy.

Will and the bears disembark when the boat goes as far inland as it can. The other bears disperse, but Will and Iorek travel on together. Will shows the bear-king how he can cut into other worlds, and the pair travel on to find Lyra. Lord Asriel's forces, under the command of the Afric King...